Twenty-second annual BASF Freedom Mile set for July 4
Organizers expect good turnout at this year’s race

BATON ROUGE, La., June 20, 2006 -- Area runners will celebrate the Fourth of July holiday with a bang as they compete in the 22nd annual BASF Freedom Mile in Baton Rouge. 

The Freedom Mile was first held in 1984, and has occurred on Independence Day every year since then. The event, which BASF is sponsoring for the fourth consecutive year, is organized by Club South Runners of Baton Rouge.

“This is one of our most popular races,” said Darrell Henry, a Club South Runners board member. “It’s unique in that it’s the only race we have that is a straight one-mile run. Since it’s shorter than most of our races, and because it’s held on Independence Day, we get a lot of participation.”

Last year’s BASF Freedom Mile drew about 150 runners, and a similar turnout is predicted for this year. The race includes four separate runs, each one mile long, beginning at Casino Rouge, and following River Road to the finish line at the U.S.S. Kidd Veterans Memorial. There is also a half-mile “fun run” for parents and children.

“We are proud to sponsor the Freedom Mile and keep this holiday tradition alive,” said Mike Cohen, Senior Vice President and General Manager of BASF’s Geismar site. “This is another chance for us to reach out to the community by supporting this popular and patriotic event.”

Runners will be divided into the following race times and categories:

8:00 a.m. Masters and Grandmasters, Male/Female
8:20 a.m. Youth (14 & Under), Male/ Female
8:40 a.m. Open Division, Women
9:00 a.m. Open Division, Men
9:20 a.m. Parent-Child half-mile fun run

First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in a range of categories. Additionally, a first, second and third place BASF Challenge prize will be awarded to top finishing BASF employees and family members.

Post-race beverages and food will be provided.

Members of Club South Runners can pre-register with an entry fee of $10 until July 1, while non-members can pre-register for $12. Entrants who register before June 26 are guaranteed a commemorative BASF Freedom Mile T-shirt on race day.

Race-day registration begins at 7 a.m. in front of the U.S.S. Kidd. All entrants registering after July 1 will pay $15.

For more information or to register for the Freedom Mile, visit Club South Runners at www.lawired.com/csr, or call Ben Cherbonnier at (225) 927-9200 or Darrell Henry at (225) 767-5386. Other Freedom Mile sponsors include POWERade, Varsity Sports, Mockler Beverage Company and the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA).

BASF’s Geismar site manufactures a wide range of products that are used in hundreds of consumer products.

For more information, contact:
Helen Cane
BASF
Tel: (225) 339-7207
E-mail: helen.cane@basf.com

Maureen Paukert
BASF
Tel: (973) 245-6077
E-mail: maureen.paukert@basf.com